2008 MAZDA MODEL TRIBUTE HEV tow

WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member of a roadside assistance program, your
roadside assistance service provider.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift and
dollies or flatbed equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Mazda Motor
Corporation has not approved a slingbelt towing procedure.
On FWD vehicles, if your vehicle is to be towed from the front, ensure
proper wheel lift equipment is used to raise the front wheels off the
ground. The rear wheels can be left on the ground when towed in this
fashion.
If your vehicle is to be towed from the rear using wheel lift equipment, it
isrequired that the front wheels (drive wheels) be placed on a dolly to
prevent damage to the automatic transaxle.
On 4WD vehicles, it is requiredthat your vehicle be towed with a wheel
lift and dollies or flatbed equipment with all the wheels off the ground to
prevent damage to the automatic transaxle, 4WD system or vehicle.
2008 Tribute Hybrid (thv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
229

If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle (without access
to wheel dollies, car hauling trailer, or flatbed transport vehicle) your
vehicle (regardless of transmission powertrain configuration) can be flat
towed (all wheels on the ground) with the transmission placed in N
(Neutral).
Mazda Motor Corporation produces a towing manual for all authorized
tow truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual
for proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
2008 Tribute Hybrid(thv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
230

WASHING THE EXTERIOR
Wash your vehicle regularly with cool or lukewarm water and a neutral
pH shampoo.
•Never use strong household detergents or soap, such as dish washing
or laundry liquid. These products can discolor and spot painted
surfaces.
• Never wash a vehicle that is “hot to the touch” or during exposure to
strong, direct sunlight.
• Always use a clean sponge or car wash mitt with plenty of water for
best results.
• Dry the vehicle with a chamois or soft terry cloth towel in order to
eliminate water spotting.
• It is especially important to wash the vehicle regularly during the
winter months, as dirt and road salt are difficult to remove and cause
damage to the vehicle.
• Immediately remove items such as gasoline, diesel fuel, bird droppings
and insect deposits because they can cause damage to the vehicle’s
paintwork and trim over time.
• Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a
car wash.
• Suntan lotions and insect repellents can damage any painted
surface; if these substances come in contact with your vehicle,
wash off as soon as possible.
• Use care when washing the vehicle to ensure water and soap
are not directed into the high voltage battery vent, located
near the driver side rear window.
WAXING
Applying a premium paint sealant to your vehicle every six months will
assist in reducing minor scratches and paint damage.
• Wash the vehicle first. Refer to Washing the exteriorfor more
detailed information.
• Do not use waxes that contain abrasives; use a premium liquid wax.
• Do not allow paint sealant to come in contact with any non-body
(low-gloss black) colored trim, such as grained door handles, roof
racks, bumpers, side moldings, mirror housings or the windshield cowl
area. The paint sealant will “gray” or stain the parts over time.
2008 Tribute Hybrid (thv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Cleaning
242

•Minimize temperature extremes when the vehicle is parked, for
example by storing in a garage to avoid extreme cold in winter and
extreme sun loads in summer. The high voltage battery operates more
efficiently in moderate temperatures.
• Combine errands. Your vehicle is more fuel efficient when the engine
is warm. Driving to your farthest destination first will warm the engine
more quickly and may improve fuel economy for the rest of the trip.
Maintenance
• Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
• Keep wheels properly aligned.
• Use recommended engine oil. Refer to Lubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
• Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in scheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
• Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
• Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 300 lb [136 kg] of weight carried).
• Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example; bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks, flags)
may reduce fuel economy.
• Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
• Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on mountainous terrain.
• Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
authorized dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle.
The EPA window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy
comparisons with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of MPG (L/100 km)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
2008 Tribute Hybrid (thv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
271

WHICH MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE SHOULD YOU FOLLOW?
Owner Checks and Services
Refer to Mileage Intervals for Additional Checks and Services
Certain basic maintenance checks and inspections should be performed
by the owner or a service technician at the intervals indicated. Service
information and supporting specifications are provided in thisOwner’s
Manual.
Any adverse condition should be brought to the attention of your dealer
or qualified service technician as soon as possible for the proper service
advice. The owner maintenance service checks are generally not covered
by warranties so you may be charged for labor, parts or lubricants used.
Maximum Oil Change Interval
❑12 months, 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or 200 hours of engine operation.
Mazda Premium Gold Engine Coolant change interval
❑6 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km) - change Mazda Premium Gold Engine Coolant (whichever comes first)❑After initial change - change Mazda Premium Gold Engine Coolant every 3 years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km). Check every month
❑Check function of all interior and exterior lights❑Check tires for wear and correct air pressure, including spare tire
❑Check windshield washer fluid level
❑Check engine oil levelCheck every six months
❑Check lap/shoulder belts and seat latches for wear and function❑Check that externally mounted spare tire is properly stowed (tight)
❑Check parking brake for proper operation
❑Check safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, air bag, seat belt) for operation
❑Check cooling system fluid level and coolant strength
❑Check low voltage (underhood) battery connections and clean if necessary
❑Check washer spray, wiper operation and clean all wiper blades (replace as necessary)
❑Check and lubricate all hinges, latches and outside locks. Inspect for correct operation
❑Check and lubricate door rubber weatherstrips. Inspect for excessive wear
❑Check and clean body and door drain holes. Inspect for clogs and obstructions
2008 Tribute Hybrid(thv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Service Maintenance Section
291

SPECIAL OPERATING CONDITIONS
Towing a trailer or using a camper or car-top carrier
Every 5,000 miles, 6 months or 200 hours
of engine operation
(whichever comes first) Change engine oil and replace filter
Every 5,000 miles Inspect tires and rotate
Extensive Idling and/or Low Speed Driving for Long Distances as in Heavy
Commercial Use Such as Delivery, Taxi, Patrol Vehicle or Livery. This
operating condition is for Extensive Maximum A/C or Heater Operation with engine on in the above listed usage.
Every 5,000 miles, 6 months or 200 hours
of engine operation
(whichever comes first) Change engine oil and replace filter
Every 5,000 miles Inspect tires and rotate
Every 60,000 miles Replace spark plugs
As required Replace cabin air filter, if equipped
Operating in dusty conditions such as unpaved or dusty roads
Every 5,000 miles, 6 months or 200 hours
of engine operation
(whichever comes first) Change engine oil and replace filter
Inspect tires and rotate
As required Replace cabin air filter, if equipped
Replace engine air filter
Replace high voltage battery A/C air filter
Off-road operation
Every 5,000 miles, 6 months or 200 hours
of engine operation
(whichever comes first) Change engine oil and replace filter
Inspect tires and rotate
As required Replace cabin air filter, if equipped
Replace engine air filter
Replace high voltage battery A/C filter
2008 Tribute Hybrid (thv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Service Maintenance Section
299

Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................284
Satellite Radio Information ........38
Scheduled Maintenance
Guide .........................................287General Maintenance
Information .............................287
Normal Scheduled
Maintenance and Log .............292
Special Operating
Conditions ...............................299
What Maintenance Schedule
Should You Follow? ................291
Seat Belt Maintenance .............114
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................105, 109–113
Seats ............................................97 child safety seats ....................139
heated ......................................100
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................93
Servicing your vehicle ..............247
Side-curtain airbags system
(if equipped) .....................131, 133
Snowplowing ...............................15
Spark plugs, specifications .......283
Special notice ambulance conversions ............15
utility-type vehicles ..................15
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................281
Speed control ..............................69
Starting your vehicle ........182–184 jump starting ..................222, 227 Steering wheel
controls ......................................72
tilting .........................................59
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................59
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) Tires, Wheels and Loading ....165
Tires ...................................149–150 alignment ................................158
care ..........................................154
changing ..........................213, 215
checking the pressure ............154
inflating ...................................151
label .........................................164
replacing ..................................155
rotating ....................................158
safety practices .......................157
sidewall information ...............159
snow tires and chains ............170
spare tire .........................211, 213
terminology .............................151
tire grades ...............................150
treadwear ........................149, 154
Towing .......................................176 recreational towing .................181
trailer towing ..........................176
wrecker ....................................229
Transmission .............................191 brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....191
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................276
fluid, refill capacities ..............281
lubricant specifications ..........281
Trunk ...........................................89
Turn signal ..................................51
2008 Tribute Hybrid (thv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Index
307

V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................284
Vehicle loading ..........................170
Ventilating your vehicle ...........185
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......20
Washer fluid ..............................251Water, Driving through .............201
Windows
power .........................................64
rear wiper/washer .....................59
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................58 checking and adding fluid .....251
liftgate reservoir .....................251
replacing wiper blades ...........252
Wrecker towing .........................229
2008 Tribute Hybrid (thv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Index
308